HAMPDEN 2010 <>H Single Cask #41

Nose : rich, concentrated. On the first nose, notes of almond paste and oriental sweet pastries bring lots of creaminess to an aromatic introduction that is also ester-rich and extremely fruity (pineapple, orange). Allowed to breathe, the nose develops more vanilla and oily (black olive) registers. Marvellously reproducing the Hampden style, it gradually reveals very invigorating and fresh flavours of aniseed, polish and cherry.

Palate : full-bodied, complex. After an initial sequence that reproduces the intensely fruity and ester-rich character of the nose, the attack focuses on the quality of a perfectly integrated spirit which brings lots of energy. On the mid-palate, banana joins the already present notes of pineapple and orange. Delicious notes of vanilla, pistachio cake and almond-stuffed olives precede a very invigorating end of the palate (acetone, brandied cherry).

Overall : unctuous, creamy. At the start of the finish, notes of hydrocarbon (oil) and cane sugar go all out to shake up the order established so far. With perfect balance, it gradually becomes increasingly exotic (mango, guava) and creamy (vanilla flan). On the retro-nasal olfaction, tangy flavours of green apple accompany aromatic plants (verbena, bay leaf) and citrus fruit (orange). The empty glass is empyreumatic (eucalyptus).